Innovative company's futuristic camper van could change the way we vacation: 'Just a more efficient way of traveling'
BBC travel reporter Rob Bell had the opportunity to tour the world's first solar-powered campervan, Stella Vita, created by Solar Team Eindhoven.
This campervan is completely powered by solar and able to recharge without the need to plug into EV charging stations, making road trips and adventures truly limitless.
Conceptualized in 2020, Stella Vita is a self-sustaining house on wheels, featuring a shower, a toilet, a cooking area, a sleeping area, and a raisable solar roof with extended panels for additional solar surface.
"The vehicle generates enough solar energy to drive, shower, watch TV, charge your laptop, and make coffee," the company wrote in a Facebook post about the innovative campervan.
As long as it's a nice, sunny day, the car will recharge while you drive or stop to grab coffee or lunch, ensuring you always have enough range to get to where you're going. This constant charging helps overcome the fear that some have that their EV will run out of range on long-distance travel, also known as range anxiety.
"So how many kilometers can it go, maximum?" Bell asked.
"Roughly, on a sunny day in the Netherlands, it's around 750 kilometers (466 miles)," Bob from the Stella Vita team answered.
This is an impressive range, even surpassing that of new electric vans.
An electric vehicle's maximum range is determined, in part, by a vehicle's battery health. As an electric vehicle (EV) endures regular wear and tear, the battery loses efficiency, and performance can suffer.
If you were to install home solar panels, which of these factors would be your primary motivation?
Energy independence
Lower power bills
Helping the planet
No chance I ever go solar
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Monitoring your battery health can give you a good idea about your vehicle's maximum range, as well as your used EV's projected value.
Data on the used EV market found that used EV sales increased 63% from 2023 to 2024, highlighting the consumer desire to find affordable ways to join the clean energy movement.
A used EV is not only better for the environment than conventional gas-powered cars due to zero tailpipe pollution, but EVs also provide car owners with savings on routine maintenance and fuel costs. Due to fewer moving parts and an electric engine, EVs do not require traditional oil or other fluid changes, and they do not require fueling up — just recharging.
Although they are still mostly conceptual, solar EVs, like the Stella Vita solar campervan, do not need constant plug-ins for recharging, which would make owning an EV even better.
But EV owners can still take advantage of the benefits that solar offers. Charging your EV at home with solar is cheaper than using public charging stations or relying on the electric grid.
With government incentives available for solar panels, you could enjoy even more savings with EV ownership and installing solar at your home. EnergySage offers a free tool to help homeowners compare quotes from vetted local solar installers, which can save homeowners up to $10,000 on new projects.
Solar EVs, like Stella Vita, could change the future of transportation and traveling.
"This is even more self-sustainable, even more self-reliant, and just a more efficient way of traveling," the Stella Vita team said.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nissan's third Leaf in 15 years is key part of renewed EV push
Nissan, a first mover in battery-electric vehicles, is counting on its longest running BEV nameplate to help it regain lost ground in a segment it once owned. The third-generation Leaf is very different from the first-generation car that debuted in 2010. That model had a hatchback body style, a range of less than 200 km (124 miles) and a handful of rivals. There are now more than 300 BEVs on sale in Europe, according to registration data from market researcher Dataforce. The new Leaf has a crossover body style, a range of more than 600 km (373 miles). It also has a battery that can add 400 km of range in just 30 minutes on a fast charger. Nissan will start delivering the BEV to customers in Europe in spring 2026. Nissan has not announced prices yet for the Leaf, which will be built at its factory in Sunderland, England. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Focus on Electrification newsletter, a weekly wrap-up of the latest electric vehicle news, including interviews and global EV sales data. The automaker invested £423 million ($570 million) to upgrade the plant, with the aim of building up to 100,000 new Leafs a year. The Leaf is underpinned by the Renault-Nissan alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is shared with the Nissan Ariya midsize electric crossover as well as the E-Tech versions of the Renault Megane and Scenic. Since 2010 Nissan has sold about 700,000 Leafs globally. More than 270,000 Leafs were built in the U.K. from 2013 until production of the second-generation car stopped in March 2024 to prepare for the third generation. The third-generation Leaf is shorter but wider and taller than the previous generation but its overhauled aerodynamics give it a better drag coefficient. The new Leaf is 4350-mm long, 1810-mm wide and 1550-mm tall and has a 0.25 drag coefficient. The current model is 4490-mm long, 1788-mm wide and 1540-mm tall with a 0.28 drag coefficient. The new Leaf has a low nose and a sloping roofline to help airflow hug the body, which ends in a high tail. It was designed by Nissan studio in Atsugi, Japan. The new Leaf will be offered with a range of electric motor and lithium-ion battery configurations. The entry version has a 52-kilowatt-hour battery coupled with a 130-kW (177-hp) electric motor. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 8.6 seconds. Nissan said this model's power consumption is homologated for 14 kW per 100 km, which translates into a maximum WLTP-certified range of 436 km and a highway range of 224 km in highway driving at constant speed of 130 kph. The Leaf's top version has a 75 kWh-battery paired with a 160-kW (218-hp) motor and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 7.6 seconds. Nissan said it uses 14.2 kW per 100 km, but because of the bigger battery the maximum WLTP range is 604 km and 330 km on highway at speeds up to 130 kph. The top speed for both versions is 160 kph top speed. The entry version comes standard with a 7.4-kW onboard charger. An 11 kW onboard charge is an option. Maximum DC charging is 105 kW, which means it takes 30 minutes to increase the battery pack from 20 percent to 80 percent, which would add 277 km of range. The top version comes standard with the 11-kW onboard charger and maximum DC charging of 150 kW. That means a 30-minute recharge from 20 to 80 percent would add 417 km of range. The first Leaf had a choice of a 24 or 30 kWh battery pack and a range of about 160 km. The second-generation car's battery packs were 40 and 60 kWh, with a top range of 340 km. A monolith-style display combines dual 14.3-inch screens in the Leaf. Nissan's design team curated a choice of five background themes for the screens, including a new Engawa design. The Japanese Engawa philosophy, which is often applied in architecture, seeks to create seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces, blurring their boundaries. The third-generation Leaf features a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including the new 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor, which provides multiple virtual vantage points around the vehicle, an Invisible Hood View and a Front Wide View that helps the driver see past parked cars, buildings and other obstacles. It has a Google-maps based Intelligent Route Planner, which provides real-time route information, state of charge and information about nearly locations. One of four BEVs in two years The Leaf is one of four new BEVs that Nissan will launch before 2027. The Leaf will be preceded on the market by the new Micra, which goes on sale in France from October. Next year Nissan will debut a new, electric-only Juke small SUV, which will be built in the U.K. alongside the Arya and Leaf in the U.K. The fourth model, which is due in late 2026, will be a full-electric minicar based on the Renault Twingo. Renault will build both cars at its plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Renault sister brand Dacia will also get a version of the car. Nissan sales in Europe declined by 5.4 percent in the first half to 165,901 in a market that was down by 1.1 percent. The Qashqai compact crossover was Nissan's bestseller with a volume of 78,397, leaving it ahead of the Juke (51,592) and X-Trail midsize SUV (19,620), according to Dataforce.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Morgan Stanley explains why Nio stock is falling
-- NIO (HK:9866) (NYSE:NIO) shares fell on Wednesday despite solid order intake for its new L90 model, with Morgan Stanley pointing to a mix of production concerns, potential fundraising fears, and fragile market sentiment as possible drivers of the decline. The automaker's Hong Kong shares closed 2.9% lower on Wednesday, underperforming the 2.6% gain in the broader Hang Seng Index. The drop follows a strong recent run, with both its U.S. and Hong Kong listings up about 30% quarter-to-date versus a 6% rise in the benchmark. The first factor, according to Morgan Stanley analysts, is 'concerns over L90 production ramp-up and delivery.' Given the company's weaker track record with previous launches, some investors have worried about potential supply hiccups. The brokerage noted that Onvo, Nio's mass-market brand, recently began offering L90 customers a smaller 60-kWh battery pack at a monthly rental instead of the 85-kWh pack that came standard. 'The unexpected offering raised market concerns over the supply bottleneck of L90,' a team led by Tim Hsiao wrote, though it added that its checks suggest the worry may be overdone. The second concern is that strong stock performance could trigger a capital raise. 'As most EV startups are yet in self-funding positions, investors are concerned that strong stock outperformance could lead to potential fundraising activity,' the analysts said, though they stressed it has no knowledge of such a plan. Lastly, the team pointed to a 'fragile market sentiment,' with more volatile and unpredictable reactions to new product launches and quarterly results making investors hesitant. Expectations for the L90 have risen, and 'it would take quality execution to beat market expectations,' the analysts said. Related articles Morgan Stanley explains why Nio stock is falling Tesla: Hype Aside, How Much Is the EV Giant Really Worth Now? 7 Undervalued Stocks on the Rise With 50%+ Upside Potential Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lucid vs. Rivian: Which EV Challenger Is the Better Stock to Buy Now?
As traditional automakers continue to transition to electric vehicles (EVs), pure-play EV challengers such as Lucid Group (LCID) and Rivian Automotive (RIVN) compete for market share in an industry that remains highly volatile. Both companies have compelling technology, ambitious expansion plans, and clearly defined target markets, but they also face similar profitability challenges and policy headwinds. Both have just released their second-quarter results, which show both promise and pressure. Let's find out which is the better buy right now. More News from Barchart Warren Buffett Warns Investing At 'Too-High Purchase Price' Even for 'an Excellent Company' Can Undo a Decade of Smart Investing BitMine Immersion Now Holds 1.15 Million Ethereum Tokens. Should You Buy BMNR Stock Here? Why Archer Aviation's (ACHR) Post-Earnings Tailspin Looks Like a Favorably Mispriced Opportunity Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. The Bull Case for Lucid Stock Lucid reported $259 million in Q2 revenue, a 29% increase year over year, and the sixth consecutive quarter of record deliveries (3,309 units). Production increased to 3,863 vehicles, up 38% from the same period last year. Lucid expects to produce between 18,000 and 20,000 vehicles this year. However, its gross margin was negative 105%, weighed down by a $54 million tariff impact. Lucid reported an adjusted net loss of $0.24 per share. Lucid stock is down 25% year-to-date, compared to the broader market gain of 9.7%. Lucid announced plans for a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, which is expected in early September pending shareholder approval. Management claims it is intended to attract long-term institutional investors. Its flagship Air sedan continues to receive praise for its market-leading range, high efficiency, and ultra-fast charging abilities. These features have given Lucid a technological advantage in the luxury EV segment. Additionally, the Gravity SUV has the potential to significantly expand Lucid's addressable market and increase sales volumes. The most notable move this quarter was Lucid's recently announced partnership with Uber (UBER) in Europe to develop a next-generation premium robotaxi based on the Lucid Gravity platform. The agreement includes a $300 million Uber investment in Lucid (pending regulatory approval) and the deployment of 20,000 Lucid Gravity robotaxis over six years, with the first vehicles expected to launch in late 2026. For investors, this represents a potentially massive entry point into the multitrillion-dollar robotaxi market, as well as a third-party validation of Lucid's engineering capabilities. Furthermore, Lucid's strong liquidity position can be attributed primarily to ongoing investments from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. This deep-pocketed backing reduces Lucid's near-term bankruptcy risk and allows the company to continue developing new models and scaling production even as profitability remains elusive. Despite sector headwinds, Lucid ended the second quarter with $3.6 billion in cash and investments and $4.86 billion in total liquidity. The company's Uber partnership, reverse split, and supply chain localization all point to a strategy aimed at diversifying revenue streams, improving institutional investor appeal, and protecting margins in a tariff-heavy environment. Overall, on Wall Street, Lucid stock is a 'Hold.' Among the 13 analysts that cover the stock, two rate it a 'Strong Buy,' nine say it is a 'Hold,' one says it is a 'Moderate Sell,' and one rates it a 'Strong Sell.' The stock is trading close to its average target price of $2.76. The high price estimate of $7 implies upside potential of 214% over the next 12 months. The Bull Case for Rivian In the second quarter, Rivian produced 5,979 vehicles and delivered 10,661, generating $1.3 billion in total revenue. Automotive revenue reached $927 million, but production volumes fell compared to the first quarter due to supply chain complexities. The adjusted EBITDA losses totaled $667 million. Rivian stock is down 9.3% year-to-date, compared to the overall market. Rivian's biggest near-term catalyst is the mid-size R2 platform, which will go into production in 2026. CEO RJ Scaringe calls it the 'best product we've ever developed,' with broad market appeal, competitive packaging, and compelling technological integration. Along with R2, Rivian launched its R1 Quad Motor variant last month, which, according to management, has received positive feedback from customers and industry media. Rivian is also betting heavily on autonomy with its Rivian Autonomy Platform, viewing it as a necessary feature for future competitiveness. Beyond vehicle sales, Rivian's Software and Services segment is rapidly expanding, generating $376 million in Q2 revenue with strong margins, aided by a joint venture with Volkswagen Group (VWAGY). Rivian's balance sheet was strengthened by a recent $1 billion equity investment from VW at a 33% premium to the market. Rivian ended the quarter with $7.5 billion in liquidity and anticipates additional funding from its VW joint venture and a Department of Energy loan for its Georgia facility. Management has identified increased tariffs as a near-term profitability headwind and is pursuing tariff mitigation strategies. The company reaffirmed its 2025 delivery guidance of 40,000 to 46,000 vehicles, as well as its capital expenditure guidance of $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion. Q3 is expected to be the busiest delivery quarter of the year. However, adjusted EBITDA losses are now expected to be $2.0 billion to $2.25 billion as a result of regulatory changes, including a reduction in EV credit revenue forecasts from $300 million to $160 million. The R2's market debut, as well as Rivian's growing autonomy capabilities, demonstrate that the company is pursuing rapid growth. However, how the company handles policy changes, supply chain risks, and profitability pressures are indicators investors should keep an eye out for in the coming quarters. Overall, on Wall Street, Rivian stock is a 'Hold.' Among the 26 analysts that cover the stock, six rate it a 'Strong Buy,' one says it is a 'Moderate Buy,' 16 rate it a 'Hold,' one says it is a 'Moderate Sell,' and two advise a 'Strong Sell.' The average target price of $14 implies the stock can surge 18.7% from current levels. The high price estimate of $21 implies upside potential of 78.1% over the next 12 months. The Bottom Line: Which Is the Better Stock to Buy? Rivian may have an advantage for investors looking for near-term product expansion and stronger balance sheet diversification, especially since the R2 platform is poised to target a broader, higher-volume segment than Lucid's luxury niche. However, for those betting on premium brand dominance and efficiency leadership in the luxury EV space, Lucid remains a unique high-risk, high-reward opportunity. Nevertheless, both stocks are likely to remain volatile until profitability visibility improves, so investors with a long-term horizon should consider buying positions based on their risk appetite. On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
